Various elements in the novel Edgar Huntly symbolize or suggest of the ideas of Thomas Hobbes outlined in the Leviathan.
American Republicanism
In Edgar Huntly, the protagonist encounters several Indians, a bound girl sitting in their midst. The narrator feels a strong urge "not only to preserve myself and to frustrate the future attempts of these savages, but likewise to relieve this miserable victim" (Brown ch. XVII). The Indians, with guns in hand and an aggressive demeanor, represent mob rule and a state of anarchy. With this state of "war" they take captive precious Innocence, represented by the young girl. Huntly symbolizes the democratic-republic ideals of America. He realizes that non-regulation puts everyone in danger and there is no need for morals. To rescue the girl and restore innocence and peace, he must lay down his own personal safety for the benefit of others.
Natural Rights
Later on in the novel, Clithero seems to be running away from civilization. However, he is not so much taking refuge in nature as he is removing himself from reality. In his mind he is responsible for the death of Lorimer, and because of this "death was better to Clithero than life" (Brown ch. XXVII). He chooses to waste away in the wilderness rather than live through his own personal hell; Huntly on several occasions travels deep into the wilderness simply to bring Clithero something to eat. This is in direct conflict with Hobbes' law "lex naturalis," which states man is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his own life.
"To persuade him to leave his desolate haunts might be a laborious and tedious task; meanwhile, all my benevolent intentions would be frustrated by his want of sustenance. It was proper, therefore, to carry bread with me, and to place it before him. The sight of food, the urgencies of hunger, and my vehement entreaties, might prevail on him to eat, although no expostulations might suffice to make him seek food at a distance." (Brown ch. X)
Do you think this law of nature is fundamental and right? Is it humane and acceptable to put someone out of their misery if they sincerely ask for it? Is there any hope for these kinds of people?
Conditions of War
The various settings Huntly encounters throughout the novel can be compared to the conditions of war and peace outlined in Leviathan. Hobbes notes that "during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war" (Hobbes XIII). This point is proven when Huntly ventures out into the wilderness after his mysterious awakening in the cave. In Huntly's various encounters with the Indians, he at first has great trouble bringing himself to spill blood to protect himself, saying "in an extremity like this, my muscles would have acted almost in defiance of my will" (Brown ch. XVII). However, he ends up killing three or four Indians through the plot of the novel. This is comparable to the condition of war stated by Hobbes, in which morals are thrown out the window and man is allowed to do anything to protect himself.
Striving for Peace
Huntly's sole mission towards the end of the novel is to arrive in the haven of colonial civilization. His dirty, famished body seeks the shelter of his village where there are others to protect him. One can interpret this as Hobbes' law of nature, "by which men are commanded to endeavor peace" (Hobbes ch. XIV). Huntly's experience in the wilderness is full of troubles and trials. He exclaims, "Surely my fate has never been paralleled! Where was this series of hardships and perils to end?" (Brown XXII). Huntly, seeing that he is in no fit condition to survive in a state of perpetual war, presses on persistently to his hometown of Solebury, which represents peacetime and the good nature of man to lay down his rights for each other. Hobbes explains that "The mutual transferring of right is that which men call contract." (Hobbes ch. XIV). Hobbes believed the foundation of government was the mutual protection of man from each other.
Various elements in the novel Edgar Huntly symbolize or suggest of the ideas of Thomas Hobbes outlined in the Leviathan.
American Republicanism
In Edgar Huntly, the protagonist encounters several Indians, a bound girl sitting in their midst. The narrator feels a strong urge "not only to preserve myself and to frustrate the future attempts of these savages, but likewise to relieve this miserable victim" (Brown ch. XVII). The Indians, with guns in hand and an aggressive demeanor, represent mob rule and a state of anarchy. With this state of "war" they take captive precious Innocence, represented by the young girl. Huntly symbolizes the democratic-republic ideals of America. He realizes that non-regulation puts everyone in danger and there is no need for morals. To rescue the girl and restore innocence and peace, he must lay down his own personal safety for the benefit of others.
Natural Rights
Later on in the novel, Clithero seems to be running away from civilization. However, he is not so much taking refuge in nature as he is removing himself from reality. In his mind he is responsible for the death of Lorimer, and because of this "death was better to Clithero than life" (Brown ch. XXVII). He chooses to waste away in the wilderness rather than live through his own personal hell; Huntly on several occasions travels deep into the wilderness simply to bring Clithero something to eat. This is in direct conflict with Hobbes' law "lex naturalis," which states man is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his own life.
"To persuade him to leave his desolate haunts might be a laborious and tedious task; meanwhile, all my benevolent intentions would be frustrated by his want of sustenance. It was proper, therefore, to carry bread with me, and to place it before him. The sight of food, the urgencies of hunger, and my vehement entreaties, might prevail on him to eat, although no expostulations might suffice to make him seek food at a distance." (Brown ch. X)
Conditions of War
The various settings Huntly encounters throughout the novel can be compared to the conditions of war and peace outlined in Leviathan. Hobbes notes that "during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war" (Hobbes XIII). This point is proven when Huntly ventures out into the wilderness after his mysterious awakening in the cave. In Huntly's various encounters with the Indians, he at first has great trouble bringing himself to spill blood to protect himself, saying "in an extremity like this, my muscles would have acted almost in defiance of my will" (Brown ch. XVII). However, he ends up killing three or four Indians through the plot of the novel. This is comparable to the condition of war stated by Hobbes, in which morals are thrown out the window and man is allowed to do anything to protect himself.
Striving for Peace
Huntly's sole mission towards the end of the novel is to arrive in the haven of colonial civilization. His dirty, famished body seeks the shelter of his village where there are others to protect him. One can interpret this as Hobbes' law of nature, "by which men are commanded to endeavor peace" (Hobbes ch. XIV). Huntly's experience in the wilderness is full of troubles and trials. He exclaims, "Surely my fate has never been paralleled! Where was this series of hardships and perils to end?" (Brown XXII). Huntly, seeing that he is in no fit condition to survive in a state of perpetual war, presses on persistently to his hometown of Solebury, which represents peacetime and the good nature of man to lay down his rights for each other. Hobbes explains that "The mutual transferring of right is that which men call contract." (Hobbes ch. XIV). Hobbes believed the foundation of government was the mutual protection of man from each other.